Alps + Health and fitness | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/alps+healthandfitness
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:39:18 GMT2015-03-04T00:39:18Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Gears, tears and breathtaking ascents: how I cycled the Haute Route Dolomites and Alps | Peter Kimptonhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/sep/09/-sp-cycling-dolomites-alps-haute-route
<p>With barely any training Peter Kimpton tried to tackle the Haute Route, the highest and toughest cyclosportive in the world. How did it go?</p><p>Steep bends come in all shapes and sizes, but when, at only a month’s notice, you take on a competitive, organised ride that takes in some of the toughest parts of the Giro D’Italia and Tour De France, they are learning curves in the extreme. In a 10-day period of tackling the <a href="http://www.hauteroute.org/">Haute Route</a> Dolomites, from Venice to Geneva, and the Haute Routes Compact (Geneva to Courchevel) over some of Europe’s highest peaks, I’ve never felt so exhausted, exhilarated, or relieved in my life. I’ve crawled up 20km climbs at a slow 7kph, made 25km of vertical gain, and during long descents, hit an exhilarating 84kph. I’ve seen grown men weep at the top of mountains. But I have survived. Well, just.</p><p>It began in Venice, about as inappropriate, but magnificent a location you could imagine for any cycling event. Around 400 international riders paraded in a short prologue on the outskirts of the canal-filled city to herald the start. Even then tragedy struck for more than one rider – months of training down the drain by crashing when a wheel got caught in a tramline rail.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/sep/09/-sp-cycling-dolomites-alps-haute-route">Continue reading...</a>CyclingEnvironmentCycling holidaysItalyDolomitesAlpsEuropeSwitzerlandCyclingTour de FranceGiro d'ItaliaHealth and fitnessTue, 09 Sep 2014 05:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/sep/09/-sp-cycling-dolomites-alps-haute-routePhotograph: Manu MolleThe first of the Dolomites climbs was a mere warm-up, featuring a series of tunnels and hairpin bends.Photograph: Manu MolleThe first of the Dolomites climbs was a mere warm-up, featuring a series of tunnels and hairpin bends.Photograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites day two. Climbing, climbing, climbing ...Photograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites day two. Climbing, climbing, climbing ...Photograph: Manu MolleThe Haute Route is a timed event, except on certain descents. Roads were not closed to traffic. Perhaps it was not only cyclists who were barking.Photograph: Manu MolleThe Haute Route is a timed event, except on certain descents. Roads were not closed to traffic. Perhaps it was not only cyclists who were barking.Photograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites - whatever the weather, the 1km sign to the top of a col is always welcome.Photograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites - whatever the weather, the 1km sign to the top of a col is always welcome.Photograph: Manu MollePasso di Stelvio on Haute Route Dolomites day four. Terrifying.Photograph: Manu MollePasso di Stelvio on Haute Route Dolomites day four. Terrifying.Photograph: Manu MolleMisty morning on the Haute Route.Photograph: Manu MolleMisty morning on the Haute Route.Photograph: Fergus Grant/@HRLanterneRougeHaute Route day six – a recovering Peter Kimpton climbs up among the clouds on the Furkapass out of Andermatt.Photograph: Fergus Grant/@HRLanterneRougeHaute Route day six – a recovering Peter Kimpton climbs up among the clouds on the Furkapass out of Andermatt.Photograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites Day 6: climbing above the cloudsPhotograph: Manu MolleHaute Route Dolomites Day 6: climbing above the cloudsPhotograph: Manu MolleWarming up on Haute Route Alps Compact Day two, Peter’s final day.Photograph: Manu MolleWarming up on Haute Route Alps Compact Day two, Peter’s final day.Photograph: Peter KimptonA fast descent on the first day of the Haute Route Compact. Peter discovered his top speed to have reached 84kph.Photograph: Peter KimptonA fast descent on the first day of the Haute Route Compact. Peter discovered his top speed to have reached 84kph.Photograph: Manu MolleThe incredible Christian Haettich on Haute Route Dolomites, only a third of the way through a three-week marathon.Photograph: Manu MolleThe incredible Christian Haettich on Haute Route Dolomites, only a third of the way through a three-week marathon.Photograph: PhotoRunning.frPeter Kimpton on his way to Merano in Italy on the second day of Haute Route Dolomites.Photograph: PhotoRunning.frPeter Kimpton on his way to Merano in Italy on the second day of Haute Route Dolomites.Peter Kimpton2014-09-09T05:00:03ZSwap the après-ski bar for an après-ski spahttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jan/19/spa-skiing-scuol-switzerland
Is a hard night in the bar the best end to a hard day's skiing or snowboarding? In Scuol, in the Swiss Alps, our writer finds hot springs and a massage in the spa hit the spot much better<p>A sheet of water pours off a curved wall inside the swimming pool changing room. I'm standing in front of it in bathrobe and flip-flops, a bit unsure what to do next. I have been told to report here at 4.20pm. The clock on the wall says that is the time. And I'm in Switzerland, so I know it must be right.</p><p>All of a sudden, the walls of water part, and I'm ushered into the inner sanctum of the Bogn Engiadina, an impressive &quot;Roman-Irish&quot; baths complex high in the mountains, at 1,250m, in the ski resort of Scuol.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jan/19/spa-skiing-scuol-switzerland">Continue reading...</a>SwitzerlandSpa breaksHealth and fitnessHealth & wellbeingLife and styleRest and relaxationSkiingSnowboardingAlpsSat, 19 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jan/19/spa-skiing-scuol-switzerlandPRThe Bogn Engiadina spa in Scoul, Switzerland.PRThe Bogn Engiadina spa in Scoul, Switzerland.Frances Booth2013-01-19T07:00:00ZTop five skiing holiday preparation tipshttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/nov/04/ski-snowboard-preparation-tips
If you normally get to the ski slopes feeling under-prepared, book one of these courses or days out in the UK before you go<p>With a couple of months to go, you still have time to get fit and ready for the season. Follow our five tips and you'll really improve your holiday.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/nov/04/ski-snowboard-preparation-tips">Continue reading...</a>SkiingSnowboardingWinter sportsTravelAlpsHealth and fitnessFri, 04 Nov 2011 22:45:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/nov/04/ski-snowboard-preparation-tipsAlamyIf you plan to ski off-piste, learn to use an avalanche transceiver. Photograph: AlamyUltra.F/Getty ImagesA boy learns to ski. Photograph: Ultra F/Getty ImagesAlamyGive your skiing a leg-up by getting fit beforehand. Photograph: AlamyAlamyGive your skiing a leg-up by getting fit beforehand. Photograph: AlamyChris Moran2011-11-04T22:45:01Z